Seyi Makinde: I will not!

- By Omogbolahan Babs


Since the declaration of assets by the Oyo State honcho, Engr. Seyi Makinde to the tune of N48Billion - N45b in properties, N3b in liquid; there has been much opprobrium on the intent of his action. While some claim it is a surreptitious or clandestine way of anticipating peculation of the state resources, others see it as misplaced for somebody whose company (ies) is/are involved in litany of litigations by his workforce on one hand, and bankruptcy on the other hand.

For me, and this is my personal opinion which I am entitled to anyway, I see such declaration as  noble and 'legendary'. The governor is under no constitutional obligation to declare his assets. He chose on his own volition to so do. Whether such intent was to embezzle the state's resources or not is left for the relevant authorities to deal with. The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) owes it a duty to conduct due diligence on the information submitted by the governor. It should go the extra to confirm the veracity or otherwise of the details submitted.

               Omogbolahan Babs

Other anti-graft agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC should both exercise their constitutional duties to examine details submitted to the CCB with a view to ascertaining its correctness or exactitude. They should afterwards put for public consumption details of their findings, so, the Oyo State electorate can then hold Governor Seyi accountable.

Engr. Seyi Makinde as of this moment remains the governor of Oyo State. He is the choice of the state's electorate until otherwise proven. We must stop this 'pull him down' (PHD) mentality all in the name of politicking. Just like the monicker known with the state as a PACE-SETTER state, Engr. Seyi has set the pace for other governors across party lines to toe. He must be commended rather than being vilified for declaring his assets. It is a commendable move. Do not give a dog a bad name in order to hang it.

So, I will not castigate Engr. Seyi Makinde. I will rather implore other governors, incoming commissioners, ministers to toe same line so they can earn people's trust the more. As for whether the governor is mendacious or his action is meant to hush-hush or sub-rosa his state's resources for self, Oyo State people will hold him accountable when the time is apropos. It is left to them.



Omogbolahan Babs, a Forensic and Criminal Investigation expert writes from Abuja